Molluscan shellfish in Birch Bay and Drayton Harbor currently have unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed recreational harvest for all species of molluscan shellfish from Sandy Point North to the Canadian border including all of Point Roberts.
Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. Mussels usually contain the highest toxin concentration. Cooking or freezing does not destroy paralytic shellfish poisoning and other naturally occurring biotoxins. Biotoxins do not affect crab meat but can be found in “crab butter” and crab entrails. Consumers should always discard “crab butter” and crab entrails.
Shellfish growers are required to test shellfish sold in restaurants and markets before distribution. These shellfish are safe to eat.
People cannot see the toxin-containing algae; thus, inspectors need laboratory testing to detect it. Always check the DOH website at www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety or call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562- 5632 before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington State.
